2024 Simplified: Your Ultimate Path to Working Smarter

We’re already into 2024, and one thing is already crystal clear: Chaos, disruption, and change will fill all our days. Do you know how to work smarter, not harder in dealing with all that? Here’s how: In three simple steps.

Step 1: By Year-End 2027: What Impact Do You Wish to Have?

Just like companies have strategic plans, even while going through crises, your legacy is your personal long-term strategic plan — the impact you will have on others and on the world. Three years is the perfect "long-term" timeframe — it allows you to envision the legacy you wish to leave behind within 36 months, and challenges you to act year-after-year with that goal in mind, not putting it off.

In just one sentence or a short phrase: What’s the impact you wish to have on people and your world three years from now? Write that down. Workshop it with friends and family. Does it feel like you and does it honor your passions? Does it inspire and motivate you? Does it make your world a better world? Be crystal clear on your desired three-year impact. Next you’ll focus on the first step in that three year plan — success in 2024.

Step 2: 2024 In Just Three Words

Now simplify all of 2024 down to just three words. If that’s not easy for you, I’d suggest going here or here or or here — three sources with lots of aspirational words to get you started.

(This idea is inspired by super-smart superhero Chris Brogan. Here are his three words for 2024, explaining how he got there, and the depth of meaning behind each word.)

Once you’ve selected your three words, that is your super-simplified definition of success for 2024. Envision a most-amazing, most-fantastic 2024: If you're successful, you will have delivered on those three words!

For example, in 2023 mine were:?Disciplined, Joy, Kind. Disciplined was my work/life plan for 2023. I had multiple work and life goals for the year, and Disciplined reminded me to stay focused on those — no matter what. Joy was my reminder to constantly live life to the fullest, because the number of years I have left on this planet are not growing! Kind was my reminder to stay focused on the impact I have on people — at work, life, play, and within my family. Three-quarters into my year, I experienced a major disruption: life changes that I would not have chosen were thrust upon me. Still, I remained true to those three words. And since my year last year was radically altered, I’m repeating Disciplined, Joy, and Kind for 2024.

Step 3: Now, Take the Ultimate Path for Working Smarter

The ultimate path is when you tie together your longer-term impact goals (2027 legacy) with your simplified three-words-for-2024, and then check how you’re doing on those every month.

Simplifying your path to working smarter is not about the latest app or newest shiny object. It’s about you deeply understanding who you are, the impact you wish to have on the world, reducing all that to just a few key words as aspirations and goals.

Bill Jensen is a seasoned strategy and transformation executive, advisor to C-suite execs, globally-known keynote speaker, and author of nine best-selling leadership and change books, including Simplicity, Disrupt, Future Strong, and The Day Tomorrow Said No. Reach him at [email protected].